How to treate depression without drugs

One out of five people experience some form of depression in their lifetime, and it's one of the top reasons people miss work in the U.S. Commonly described as a feeling of sadness, the blues or feeling down in the dumps, it affects a person's well being physically, mentally and emotionally.

Depression seems to affect women more than men, is prevalent in adolescents, and 3 to 5 times more common in the elderly. It is the main cause of alcoholism and drug abuse, and may be a symptom of other diseases like hypothryoidism and anemia. It takes a toll on relationships, and causes social isolation and a decrease in productivity at work, impacting not only the person suffering but those close to them as well. Left untreated, it can lead to suicide. Symptoms of depression include wakefulness, unhappiness, trouble concentrating, anxiousness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in usual hobbies and activities, and mood swings. The most frequent type is reactive depression, caused by a painful or stressful event.

The following information is provided by Natural News:

Treatment of Depression

"Eighty percent of the cases of depression are successfully treated, a rate that could be improved to a great extent if the proper medical and social care were provided. If you believe you are suffering from depression, please go and visit a professional health practitioner immediately for professional help.

There are many available options of treatment including natural medicine therapies and short-term psychotherapy which have been proven as effective. The use of alternative and complementary medicine to manage depression is becoming more popular. They assist in alleviating the symptoms of depression, especially in cases of mild to moderate depression. Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are excellent alternatives for mild depression and are highly effective. Psychotherapy provides people the opportunity to understand the factors that lead to their depression and to cope effectively with the mental, behavioral, social, and situational triggers. Hypnotherapy provides people the opportunity to overcome any stressful life situations that lead to their depression.

St. John's wort is one of the most beneficial natural and herbal remedies for depression. It is more potent than a placebo and is as good as antidepressant drugs for mild and moderate depression.

Persistent negative thoughts and emotions will only cause your depression to worsen. Try to focus on the simple things in life that give you happiness and lift up your spirit. Accept whatever life offers you, maintain your good spirits, and be optimistic.

Prior to taking any natural treatments, you must seek the advice of your physician or other professional health practitioners."

Save money by growing your own vegetables

I think most of us are looking for ways to make our money stretch, and one way you can extend your food budget is by having a vegetable garden. Not only will you save money with the fresh vegetables in season, you can also grow additional produce and freeze or can it for winter use.

In most areas of the US, it's still too early to plant, but if you're planning to start your plants from seed, March is the time to get started. Some plants do better started inside rather than direct seeding, such as tomatoes and peppers, while others do just fine if seeds are planted directly into the garden at the proper planting time, such as cucumbers, beans and squash. Here is a link to a chart that shows when to plant each type of vegetable, and also how far apart the plants should be: The Garden Helper.

I find it helpful to plan out my garden on paper as I have limited space and I want to make the most of it. If you also have limited space, there are some tricks you can use to save space, like double-wide rows and growing certain plants upright on a cage or stake (tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and melons work well this way). You might also want to use a bush variety of some vegetables like cucumbers or beans which produces a more compact plant.

The most important thing to consider when deciding how large your garden will be is the location. It must get 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day and be away from trees. Another factor is whether you just want to grow a few vegetables to eat in season, or whether you plan to can and freeze enough for your family for the upcoming winter. Here is a helpful site called "How much to plant per person in the vegetable garden."

I'll have more on preparing your garden bed for planting in a separate post. Meanwhile, here are some tips for starting plants from seed:

* Buy seeds in early Spring when you'll find the best selection. Seeds purchased locally will automatically be right for your location.

* You can find more variety at gardening sites such as Burpee.com or Gurneys.com, and it can be fun and rewarding trying out new hybrids. One thing to keep in mind though is to check that it is right for your planting zone.

* Use a good high-nutrient light soil to start your seeds. Keep soil moist, covered with plastic and in a warm dark place until the seeds sprout. The top of a water heater works well for this.

* Once they sprout, make sure seedlings get enough light. If you don't have a sunny window, use supplemental light. A plant grow-light or even simple fluorescent light fixture in your basement will work if it is lowered to hang just above the plants. Keep the plants moist but don't over-water them.

* As it gets closer to planting time, harden the young plants off by setting them outside during the day. The first few days keep them protected from direct sunlight as they can burn just like we do when first exposed to the harsh sun. You'll be able to see them growing sturdier and darkening in color, and at that point they can be placed in the sun for short periods, increasing the time every few days. If frost is forecast, bring them back inside, or into the garage for overnight, and keep them well watered.

* Any unused seed packets can be stored in a cool dry place such as your basement to prevent them from sprouting, and can be used next year.

Have you tried pomegranate juice?

I've read a lot of good things about the health benefits of pomegranate juice, and recently had the opportunity to try it. I was surprised that something that is so good for you also has a great taste; it reminds me of something between grape juice and cranberry juice.

Pomegranates are one of the earliest cultivated fruits by man, and planting of trees began sometime between 4000 B.C. and 3000 B.C. Many scholars believe that it was the pomegranate depicted in the Garden of Eden in the Bible, rather than the apple as we've always heard. It has continually been revered throughout history as a symbol of health, fertility and rebirth. Some cultures even believed it held mystical healing powers, and it's appeal as well as medicinal properties has made it the subject of myths, epics and works of art from Raphael and Cezanne to Homer and Shakespeare.

The juice I'm drinking is called POM Wonderful. One of the things I liked about this particular brand is that it is all natural, with no added sugars, preservatives, colors or filler juices. Here's some other details about POM Wonderful:
*It is the only juice whose health benefits are backed by $25 million in medical research. Patients participating in clinical studies who drank 8 ounces of it daily showed significant improvement in their heart, prostate and erectile health. To read more about the study, click here.
*It's the only brand guaranteed to contain 100% authentic pomegranate juice.
*It is grown and bottled locally in California's San Joaqin Valley, whereas other brands are made from juice from Iran, Turkey and the former Soviet Republics.
*It's known for it's unique combination of superior antioxidants and great taste.

Something else to keep in mind if you're planning to drink pomegranate juice - there are numerous varieties of pomegranates and juices, but they're not all created equal, much like the difference between concord grape and white grape juice. So if you're going to spend your hard-earned money to improve your health, do your research and make the wisest decision possible.

Darkening hair without chemicals

If you want to darken the color of your hair without the dangerous chemicals found in traditional hair coloring products, there's a wide array of natural substances you can use. A strong mixture of coffee or tea, crushed walnuts, or henna powder are all safe alternatives that will darken your hair. Instructions can be found by CLICKING HERE.

And for gray hair, make a tea of the following ingredients, boil for 30 minutes, steep for several hours, then apply to hair for 15 minutes; repeat daily for 2 weeks, then monthly to maintain color:
* 2 cups water
* 1/2 cup sage
* 1/2 cup rosemary

So there's no need to expose ourselves to chemicals when we can return to more natural ways women have used for centuries.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

glitter-graphics.com

Lighten your hair without chemical dyes

Approximately 1 out of every 5 women in the U.S. color their hair. If you're one of them and are concerned about the harmful affects from prolonged use of the chemicals in hair lightening products, you're not alone. Many people are going back to the old ways of hair lightening. Here are some natural ways to achieve the same results:

* Henna uses natural dyes to alter the color of the hair, and is generally effective. However, results aren't always what you're aiming for if trying to lighten the hair.

* Lemon juice is the most popular way to lighten hair at home. It is strongly acidic, so it's recommended the lemon juice be diluted with equal parts of water (more if your hair is already damaged) so as not to damage the hair. The mixture can be used alone or with any of the methods below. A word of caution: beware of commercial lighteners that say they use lemon juice as they may contain strong chemical products with a little bit of lemon juice added.

* Olive oil has a lightening agent along with the ability to give hair softness and sheen. It very effectively counteracts the drying effects of lemon juice. Just mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a cup of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Massage into the hair and leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse well. It may take 2 shampoos to completely remove the olive oil.

* Chamomile is another old-time method used to brighten hair. Mix regular chamomile tea with lemon juice and rinse through the hair every day until hair is as light as you wish. Boiling the tea yourself using chamomile flowers will enhance results.

* Use the water from boiling rhubarb as a rinse to lighten hair. If used regularly it gives hair a shiny gloss.

* Honey is an excellent hair lightener because it naturally contains traces of hydrogen peroxide. Just mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 cup of water and let it sit for 30 minutes to allow the peroxide to develop. Then coat hair completely with the mixture and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes. Hair can be covered with saran wrap and the mixture left on overnight. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the mix for an intense overnight moisture treatment.

* Sitting in the sun for 20 to 30 minutes will enhance any of these methods. The sun is known for its brightening effect on hair, and the items listed above will further activate the sun's lightening power.

Thanks to Natural News for these hair-lightening tips.

*Coming next week, ways to darken your hair (including those stubborn grays) without chemicals.

Indications of a stroke

The following information on possible stroke is taken from Jenny Thompson at Health Sciences Institute. It's a good piece of information to keep handy in case you suspect someone near and dear to you is having a stroke.

"When a stroke occurs, you've got about three hours.

That's one of the key details contained in an e-mail a friend forwarded to me last week. You might have received it too – it appears to be making the rounds. And of course I always check these things out to verify their authenticity. This one seems to have originated at the School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine.

Apparently, one neurologist claims he can reverse the effects of a stroke if he can treat the patient within three hours of the onset of a stroke. I assume he's referring to ischemic stroke (caused by a blocked artery), as opposed to a hemorrhagic stroke (caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain).

Step one in getting quick treatment is diagnosis, which can be difficult because the early signs are often subtle. But if irregular behavior raises suspicions of a stroke, there are four quick tests that can help you spot a problem.

1. Ask the suspected victim to smile
2. Ask him to repeat a simple sentence
3. Ask him to raise both arms
4. Ask him to stick out his tongue straight out

If any one of the four tests can't be completed, call 911 immediately and describe symptoms to the dispatcher."

Mercury found in high-fructose corn syrup

I've written previously about the health risks connected to high-fructose corn syrup which is found in many grocery items, including soda pop. As if it isn't bad enough by itself, now we learn that mercury is hiding in it and has been for many years.

According to an article by NaturalNews.com, Environmental Health published new research conducted by a scientist at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy which revealed that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is contaminated with the toxic heavy metal mercury. Products such as candy bars, bread, pizza sauce, fruit drinks just to name a few are no doubt contaminated as well because they contain HFCS. Mercury poisoning causes neurological disorders, along with loss of hair, teeth and nails, muscle weakness, loss of kidney function, emotional mood swings, and memory loss.

The EPA says that an average-sized woman shouldn't consume any more than 5.5 micrograms of mercury per day, which means the average American consumer may be eating five times the upper limit of mercury every day due to high-fructose corn syrup consumption. A study by David Wallinga, M.D revealed that almost 1/3 of all grocery items sweetened with HFCS were contaminated with mercury, such as yogurt, ketchup and salad dressings.

Do you know how high-fructose corn syrup is made? One of the processes is a chemical brew which involves the creation of a caustic soda by exposing raw materials to pools of electrified mercury in a large vat. When the corn kernels are exposed to the caustic soda to break them down, the contamination passes to the HFCS. Another toxic chemical used to produce HFCS, glutaraldehyde, is so toxic that consuming even a small amount can burn a hole in your stomach. Yet the Corn Refiners Association insists that HFCS is a natural ingredient, and claim it has been declared "natural" by the US Food and Drug Administration. Don't be fooled, as Natural News reported that this is not true.

So read those labels, and watch out for HFCS lurking inside. Here's a link to my previous post "Who funds those High-Fructose Corn Studies?.

Wordless Wednesday #46

That first step is a killer!

(photo origin unknown)

Cancer treatment options

Conventional cancer treatment has many adverse effects such as hair loss, nausea, loss of appetite, constipation and even organ failure because the treatment that kills cancer cells also kills healthy cells. A recent Canadian study for breast and prostate cancer showed it can also cause bone loss.

Patients undergoing treatment with aromatase inhibitors had a greater chance of developing bone loss and fractures, as well as patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy had a higher risk of bone disorders. On a positive note, the study also found that bisphosphonate treatment (used to combat osteoporosis) helped in rebuilding bone tissue in cancer patients. For more information read
"Conventional cancer treatment linked to bone loss".

The majority of patients undergoing traditional cancer therapy and surgery also use "complimentary methods" to improve their overall health and reduce side effects from the conventional treatments. Complimentary methods include nutritional supplements or vitamins, prayer, healing practices, meditation, relaxation techniques, massage and acupuncture. For more details, read Cancer patients turning to complimentary medicine to increase wellness".